Zipp Space

Zipp Space

The alternate dimension known as Zipp Space is a strange and dangerous one, full of nebulous clouds, enormous undulating tendrils that can tear ships to shreds, and pulsating swirling orbs that are miniature caricatures of the stars and planets in Real Space.

In Zipp Space, several anomalous physics make it a convenient alternative to travel through Real Space. Firstly, Zipp Space appears represent Real Space, with energy signatures representing stars, planets, black holes, and other celestial bodies, so navigation is nearly identical to that of Real Space except at a much larger scale. Second, travel through Zipp Space appears to equate to a proportionally higher distance traveling through Real Space, meaning that when you emerge through a Zippway, your craft will have traveled several lightyears during the span of a few days. Finally, a certain degree of temporal distortion occurs, resulting in a sense of fatigue, disorientation, and irritability among the crew, and inconsistencies in the ship's clock, often necessitating a period of reset and recalibration. While the strange echoes of Real Space celestial bodies provide navigators valuable markers, the warped physics of Zipp Space makes it dangerous to emerge too close to a destination, or to travel short distances.

It is still unknown what exactly the strange destructive tendrils that twist and rake across Zipp Space are. They became known as Zipp Lines after it was discovered that when a spacecraft travels through Zipp Space, they leave behind a similar tendril. Skilled pilots can follow a Zipp Line to its destination, but their unpredictable movements make this a dangerous tactic. As particular regions of Zipp Space become highly-trafficked, the maze of Zipp Lines can become too treacherous to navigate.

To combat this, Schema have implemented two solutions: First, they inhibit Zipp Drive use in areas of high-traffic unless a crew purchases a Zipp License. Second, they have created a fleet of special ships called Zippers. These enormous ring-shaped frigates travel slowly through Zipp Space, pulling strands of Zipp Lines together and consolidating them, then guiding them away from common routes. While this is necessary, scientists claim that these consolidated Zipp Lines only grow larger and more dangerous with each addition. No one knows if there is a permanent solution, or if some day in the future, Zipp Space may no longer be an option.